Even though the temperatures dipped low enough on Nov. 11 for women to don their fur coats, the “Odyssey Ball” was hot, hot, hot—especially with Casa Samba’s dancers, stilt walkers and musicians welcoming partygoers to the New Orleans Museum of Art. The party’s theme was “Carnaval,” which complemented the exhibit of the same name. The museum was transformed—courtesy of Mardi Gras Productions—into a tableaux of various Carnivals. Most noted was the Venetian carnival—with 17th-century courtesans topping of the main staircase pedestals (instead of the usual large floral arrangements), a living puppet with a puppeteer, and colorful masked men—as well as the Brazilian carnival, with the aforementioned stilt walkers, musicians and samba dancers, who during one part of the night got women on the dance floor to try their hand at samba dancing. New Orleans was well represented just by those who attended—some of whom decided to costume for the black-tie party. More music could be found throughout the museum with Bamboula and ELS, and cuisine by New Orleans Caterers was also on hand. The silent auction was a huge draw, with more than
75 items to bid on.

The party was such a hit that by the time midnight rolled around, guests didn’t want to leave. But then again, who ever wants Carnival to end?

Ted George, event co-chairs Julie George and Judy David, and Tom David